City wants to stomp out ‘stompies’

City wants to stomp out ‘stompies’

The City of Cape Town is set to take tough action against people who throw lit cigarettes from their cars. The Fire Safety Amendment By-Law was recently approved by full Council and promulgated in the Provincial Gazette on 29 June 2007.

The By-Law regulates fire safety in the Cape Metropole. The latest amendment stipulates that a person who throws a lit match or cigarette, that is likely to cause a fire, from a vehicle, shall be presumed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, to be culpable and liable to a fine.

The devastating fire on Table Mountain in 2005 was allegedly caused by a tourist tossing a ‘stompie’ out of his car window. The court case has still to be concluded.

Residents who witness transgressions of the by-law can phone the 24 hour Emergency Control Centre by dialling 021 424 7715. They are requested to provide the location, date and time of the incident and a description of the vehicle.

"This amendment will help the City to protect its natural and built heritage and will hopefully encourage people to think twice before they throw potentially flammable material from their cars," says Cllr Dumisani Ximbi, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security.